Don’t Forget About Your Own Health and Well-Being

Health professionals are always putting the needs of their clients, customers, and patients before their own, but it’s just as important for them to incorporate a few self-care strategies into their daily routines.

To prevent burnout, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve their physical well-being, healthcare providers must remember to care for their own minds and bodies — as this will allow them to better serve those around them. 

To understand the impact of phycian burnout in 2021, read this blog.

Whether you’re a physician, nurse, or another type of medical professional, you could probably use a bit more self-care in your everyday life.

You, like many other medical professionals, may be experiencing physical, mental, and emotional health concerns amidst COVID-19 — including stress, anxiety, and personal isolation.

However, adopting a self-care routine could help you to feel less stressed, more energized, and happier and healthier from the inside out. 

In this guest post, we want to tell you how these 5 simple practical tips can help the busy physician (you) be more resilient in the ever-stressful healthcare workplace.

These 5 head-to-toe health strategies can easily be incorporated into the busy lives of medical professionals. Read on to start living your best life!

Fortunately, incorporating physical activity into your daily life is easier than you’d think. Here are a few fitness ideas for busy health professionals:

• Use a standing desk or treadmill desk during the workday.
• Practice yoga poses such as Malasana, Chaturanga, and Trikonasana. 
• Walk in the morning, after work, or during your lunch break.
• Skip the elevator and take the stairs whenever possible. 
• Practice Pilates for just 15 minutes a day. 
• Dance, jog in place, or do push-ups whenever you have a few minutes to spare. 

Improve Your Sleep Habits

From insomnia to shift work disorder (SWSD), poor sleep quality is common among health professionals. And unfortunately, the physical, mental, and emotional effects of sleep deprivation are vast.

According to Stephanie Watson and Kristeen Cherney of Healthline, sleep deprivation can lead to memory and concentration issues, mood changes, weight gain, high blood pressure, and even an increased risk of heart disease. 

Relieve Stress Naturally

Burnout is common among health professionals, but several natural remedies can help to reduce stress and invoke a relaxation response.

Try supplementing with ashwagandha or holy basil, treating yourself to regular massages, meeting with a mental health professional, and practicing deep breathing exercises.

Other relaxation techniques include guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, yoga, and tai chi. 

CONCLUSION

How Do I Start My Self-Care Journey as a Doctor?

The first steps to any form of treatment is to acknowledge the warning signs of physician burnout in a toxic work environment, realise that it is a perfectly normal response to an adverse stressful lifestyle, just like most causes of non-communicable chronic diseases….and be open to self-awresness of your own health needs.

Before the physician decides to hide their emotions and ‘pile on the negativity’ one should understand that if you wish to be an impactful healthcare professional in the New Post-Covid World, we must not only exercise resilience under duress but have the right form of fitness to exercise that resiliency.

To be a great doctor, one must understand what it takes to be healthy and well. It is the responsibility of a doctor to be the pillar of health and wellness, by being cognizant of one’s own wellness needs too. 

All you need to do is to start small and make small purposeful actions towards one’s own betterment.